Learn how to speak Thai
It is always helpful to be able to speak at least a few words of the language of the country you are visiting. Your hosts will appreciate the efforts you make.
Thai is not easy for Westerners to speak, because it is a tonal language. So a single word can have up to 5 different meanings, depending on the tone (high, medium, low, rising, falling). For example, the word 'ma' can mean: come here, dog, or horse - depending on the tone. But most Thais will understand you if you speak slowly and clearly, particularly if you use the words in a sentence. Your Thai hosts will help you if you make the effort and it will pay off in many unexpected ways. Try it and see!
Thai culture is a mixture of Buddhism and animism. Thais believe there are ghosts or spirits all around us. Some of them are benign and they make offerings to them at spirit houses, burning incense and offering food and drink. But because some spirits are dangerous they give their children nicknames so that the spirits will not recognize the children by their correct name and steal them away. If you already know the person you might be asked to use their nickname instead. Common nicknames include: Daeng (red), Moo (pig), Noi (small), and so on. Otherwise, address business people by their first names, like this: Mr Somchai, Miss Wasana.
English phrase |
Thai phrase |
'Krup' is used by males as a polite form at the end of sentences
[ the "R" is almost silent ]
'Ka' is used by females
Sometimes you will hear "na krup" or "na ka". This is also acceptable. You should use 'Krup' or 'Ka' at the end of most sentences to make them more polite. |
Sawadee krup (males)
Sawadee ka (females) |
Hello (also used to say 'goodbye') |
Sawadee krup/ka |
Thank you |
Kob khun krup, Kob khun ka
Kob khun na krup, Kob khun na ka |
How are you? |
Khun sabai dee ruer? |
Fine thanks |
Sabai dee, krup/ka |
I can't speak Thai |
Poot Thai mai dai, krup/ka |
Never mind |
Mai pen rai, krup/ka |
Good (as in, "I like it") |
Dee, krup/ka |
|
Very good
|
Dee mark, krup/ka
|
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Very tasty, krup/ka
|
Aroy dee, krup/ka
|
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No good, krup/ka
|
Mai dee
|
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Please bring me a glass of iced water/tea/coffee
|
Kor narm yen geow, krup/ka
Kor narm char, krup/ka
Kor cafeé, krup/ka
|
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How much?
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Towlai, , krup/ka?
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How much is this?
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Yarng nee towlai, krup/ka?
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Wow! Why is it so expensive?
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Oy! Tum-mai pang mark, krup/ka?
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How much can you reduce the price?
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Rot dai towlai, krup/ka?
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How much to go to Silom Road?
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Pai thanon Silom towlai, krup/ka?
|
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Where are you going?
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Ja painai, krup/ka?
|
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Can I speak to Mr Somchart, please?
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Kor poot cup Khun Somchart, krup/ka?
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What time can we meet?
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Rao ja jer gun key morng, krup/ka?
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Where can we meet?
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Rao ja jer gun tee nai, krup/ka?
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Come here
|
Ma nee!
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Turn left
|
Leo sai
|
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Turn right
|
Leo kwa
|
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Go straight ahead
|
Trong bai
|
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Stop here
|
Yoot tee nee
|
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Slow down
|
Cha cha
|
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Be careful
|
Ra warng
|
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I don't want any (it) thanks
|
Mai ow, krup
|
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Can you eat hot food? (as in chilli hot)
|
Khun kin aharn pet dai mai, krup?
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I can't eat hot food
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Pom kin aharn pet mai dai, krup
|
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I like to eat hot food
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Pom chop kin aharn pet, krup
|
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I've lost my room key
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Hai goonjaer hong bai lao, krup
|
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Bring me a Heinekin beer
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Kor beer Heinekin, krup
|
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Monday
|
Wan chun
|
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Tuesday
|
Wan unkarn
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Wednesday
|
Wan poot
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Thursday
|
Wan paroohut
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Friday
|
Wan sook
|
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Saturday
|
Wan sao
|
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Sunday
|
Wan a-tit
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Today
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Wan-nee
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Tomorrow
|
Proong-nee
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Yesterday
|
Meur wa nee
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English Number
|
Thai Number
|
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1
|
Neung
|
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2
|
Song
|
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3
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Sarm
|
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4
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See
|
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5
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Har (high tone voice)
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6
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Hock
|
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7
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Jet
|
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8
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Bat
|
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9
|
Kow (high tone)
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10
|
Sip
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11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
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Sip et, Sip song, Sip sarm, Sip si, Sip Har (high tone), Sip hock, Sip jet, Sip bat, Sip Gow (high tone)
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20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
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Yee sip, Sarm sip, Si sip, Har (high tone) sip, Hock sip, Jet sip, Bat sip, Gow (high tone) sip
|
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100
|
Neung roy
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1,000
|
Neung pun
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10,000
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Neung meun
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100,000
|
Neung saen
|
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1,000,000
|
Neung larn
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